Eurydice Ascending, by C. L. Kamnikar (PG-13)

[figs_sg1_rec]

Rec Category: Episode Fix

Pairing: Daniel/Sha're
Category: episode fix, Daniel Jackson, Daniel/Sha're, friendship
Warning: self (or goa'uld)-inflicted violence
Author on LJ: butterflykiki
Author's Website: ChristinaK at AO3
Link: Eurydice Ascending

Why This Must Be Read: Eurydice Ascending should be read by any Daniel fan who believes that, for once, the poor boy deserves a happy ending. Take the first five minutes of Forever In a Day, then make a sharp left turn into this story. Maybe Teal'c was armed with a zat instead of his staff weapon... the author never gives the specifics, but that doesn't matter. What does matter is that this amazing fic gives us the wonderful, fiery Sha're that Daniel fell in love with during the movie and allows her to fight for her freedom.

The story opens on the steps of the Cimmerian Stargate, as Ammonet breaks away from Daniel and Sam just in time to be transported, alone, into the Labyrinth. From there, the story splits into three threads: Sha're's struggle to reach the Hammer and kill Ammonet, Daniel and Sam's journey to get to the Labyrinth in time to help Sha're, and the deft stonewalling taking place at the SGC to give them enough time to accomplish their goals. It's so easy to visualize this story as a gripping two-part episode; and quite frankly, considering subsequent events, how much would the show's direction have to have changed to compensate for allowing Daniel to avoid this final tragedy?

There are so many things about this fic that I love. First and foremost, there's Sha're. I always felt that the show cheated us a little by not giving us a chance to meet the feisty, brave woman who dared to show Daniel the forbidden heiroglyphics and then inspired her brother and his friends to start the rebellion against Ra. Here, we do get a chance to meet that woman, as she fights against Ammonet's control with every means at her disposal, no matter how dangerous. The inner monologue between host and symbiote runs fast and furious, and you'll be cheering for her every step of the way.

The Daniel and Sam sections alternate between their points of view with good effect. Together with Gairwyn (one of my favorite semi-recurring characters), they make the trip to the Labyrinth in agonized worry about what might happen before they get there. There's plenty of angsting about what might happen afterwards - both the risk to Sam's career for her unsanctioned actions and how damaged Sha're might be from her experience - along with some nice references to Jolinar and wonderful teamy support.

The most entertaining aspect of the story is what's busy happening back at the SGC. It becomes clear from the beginning of the story that Sam and Daniel didn't have permission to take Sha're to the Hammer. With Colonel Kennedy of The Enemy Within infamy yapping at their heels, the entire staff of the SGC take matters into their own hands, delaying and obstructing Kennedy's efforts to get the trio back before their mission is completed. At first, the reader assumes that it's only Jack's work; but as the story continues to unfold, it's delightful to realize that everyone, from Makepeace sending his own man AWOL to the techies that deliberately crash the 'gate computers with a multi-player Doom II game, are rooting for Daniel, Sha're, and their happy ending.

By the time the story ends, we're treated to some great cameos from Kasuf and Katherine, Janet at her Napoleonic Warmonger best, and the wistful promise that subsequent storylines like Shifu could have just as easily played out with Sha're still at Daniel's side. This story is an "episode fix" in the true meaning of the term, and how I wish this was what really happened!

With every step she came closer, and my heart pounded harder Another step. The rock wove dizzily, horrifyingly sharp in the air, somewhere between her heart and her neck, and the three of us watched, none of us daring to move. ~God, no, don't let her die now, please, please...~ I could feel myself shaking, barely breathing I was so scared. "Yes. Yes. Come on, love. Come to me. Almost there. Come on, Sha'uri, I love you, come on, come on---"

"Sha'uri.... I am... Sha'uri..." Tears were pouring down her face, but her eyes stayed fixed on us, and the doorway in between us. I was always amazed at how strong she was. How brave. And now---- God, she was just... awe-inspiring. "Sha'uri... I am.... Sha'uri..." She came to a stop six feet from the door, and I swallowed, feeling Sam's fingers dig into my arm. Even now, Amonet could kill her, or turn and run---

It took every bit of strength I had, *not* to run through that door. Not to just reach out and grab her, pull Sha'uri through. One wrong move, and it could be over. Amonet might push me away, slash Sha'uri's wrists, and I would lose her forever. I stared into her eyes, willing her to remember me, willing her to reach for me, to say my name, anything, to know I loved her, that I wanted to help, but didn't dare reach for her.... Sha'uri-Amonet just shook, her hands clutching that rock, sobbing as she looked at us with tear-blind eyes. I couldn't breathe. I actually couldn't breathe, because it hurt too much.

Orpheus looked back at Eurydice, and she was pulled back to the Underworld. One mistake, and I'd lose Sha'uri.

I didn't reach for her. I whispered, "Ashee tenet vui ero, mesoli." It was what I would say, back on Abydos, when she asked me if I would ever leave her, like the heroes in the stories. ~I rest only in your heart, my wife....~ I held myself still, hoping she would know what that meant. ~ I trust you, Sha'uri. I believe in you. I love you. I never stopped.~

Sha'uri's eyes widened, and her lips drew tight, and then the purest rage I have ever seen on anyone flashed in her eyes. "I. ... want... my life!" She opened her hand, dropping the rock, and then she pitched forward into the doorway of the Hammer.

Comments

[samantilles.livejournal.com]

I just read this for the first time yesterday, and it is definitely one of my new favorites! I'm not even sure how I stumbled upon it, but I stopped by redial_the_gate to make sure it was in the FiaD fanworks. I should have known you'd have recced this long ago!

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

Glad you found it, and enjoyed it - it's definitely in my top ten. :)